Australia's Wallaroos Win 56-12, But Want More

The Australian Wallaroos didn't just beat Scotland—they dominated 56-12—but their captain isn't satisfied, and that's exactly the attitude that could transform women's rugby Down Under.

Siokapesi Palu Sekona led her team to their second straight victory over Scotland on Saturday in Sydney. The Wallaroos scored eight tries to Scotland's two, recording a decisive win that would make most teams celebrate without reservation.

But Palu Sekona sees something bigger on the horizon. "We don't want to only be the better versions of ourselves," she said after the match. "We want to be the best in the world."

The captain pointed to areas needing work: discipline, ruck play, and set-piece accuracy. Her refusal to rest on a 44-point win shows how seriously the Wallaroos are taking their mission ahead of the 2029 Women's Rugby World Cup, which Australia will host.

The team is currently ranked seventh globally and operates as a semi-professional program. That puts them behind powerhouses like England and New Zealand, where players train full-time with significant investment from their rugby federations.

Why This Inspires

Change is coming fast for Australian women's rugby. The Wallaroos are transitioning to full-time professional status in an integrated program with the women's sevens squad—a move designed to accelerate their development before the home World Cup.

The coaching team, led by Rugby Australia's director of women's high performance Tim Walsh, is already making an impact. Walsh previously led the Australian women's sevens team to tremendous success and sees the current squad heading in the right direction.

Three weeks ago, the Wallaroos defeated Scotland 30-10 in Edinburgh, snapping a six-match losing streak. That win left both players and coaches wanting more—a sign of the team's developing competitive edge.

Their transformation reflects a broader shift in women's sports: athletes refusing to accept incremental progress when excellence is possible. The Wallaroos aren't content with participation trophies or moral victories. They're building toward genuine championship contention on home soil.

The team closes out their 2026 season Friday night when they face Scotland again in Canberra, with another chance to refine their game and prove their rising standards aren't just talk.